, 1887-12-04

the NoyEL DIscUssIoN.

lut llSl VI Tut DtSl lsu uONtlo hhlNh
was published in THE LEADER yesterday
morning appears to have aroused a good
deal nflocal interest and discussion. 1t is
only proper to say that people did not
universally agree that the list published
was in their judgment the cream of this
branch of literature, which is an encour-
aging evidence that the residents of Chey-
enne are disposed to hold individual views
and not accept as fact everything which
is told them. 1t perhaps indicates. too,
an Acquaintance with a wide range of
literature, for several books in foreign
languages which hAv, long been esteemed
artistic models in tho literary world are
ruthlessly hurled from the pedestals
which they have long occupied, and more
modern books, better suited to the feet
ing sentiment of the times, elevated
in their stead. One or two books in THE
LEADER list nave aroused horror stricken
protest. Fielding's Tom jones'" for
instance, was not received witt such en-
thusiastIc cordialIty in some quarters as
we were led to expect. Mr. Jones was
certainly not a commenduble character in
many respects. but as a human protest
against the inlne milksops painted ascon-
temporaries by Richardson he was a
bowling success, If we may DO permitted
the term. The language is powerfully
compact and without apparent effort
places every idea in bold rellef. Fielding
painted his characters not as they might
have been or probably should have been,
but as they were. This is his fault, it
appears. Another novel in our list against
which protest is made is George Sands
Indiana We confess that to those
who have been fed on the thin Gruel of
light literature Indiana" is altogether
too daring in subject and treat
ment. But where in the whole range
of literature can language be found more
sparkling, more supple or more eloquentp
The ten novels which are most called
for at the public library are: Ben
%lIur," Ramona Her Picture"
'Ho osier Schoolmaster,," "Charles
O'Malley." MIR. Isaacs," "Pere Go.
riot" Cousin Pous," DIR. Sewer and
LED Horse Claim"
A bright young lady, who wishes her
name suppressed. submits the following
list: David Copperfeld," Dickens,
Vanity Fair" Thackeray. "Ivanhoe."
Scott, ''Lothare," Disraeli, Jane Eyre"
Bronte, Ben Hur," Wallace, Vicar of
Wakefield" Goldsmith, Marble Faun,"
Hawthorne, Uncle TOMS Cabin" II.
B Stowe and Ramona" by Helen
Hunt jackson, pronounced by the North
American Rsriet0 tho best American
novel ever published.
A well known lawyer, who has read eI-
tansively. says: Novels must be guaged
by the point of view. Here is a list
which covers different phases OF the sub.
ject:
/. For burlesquc, Don Qui1ote;" Ger
ventes.
=. For heroism, "Ivanhoe;" Scott.
) For elvquence, "SalathIel;" DR..
Croly.
4. For beauty of diction, Last Days of
Pompeii;" Bulwe-.
S For a grand character Christ like),
John Halifax, Miss Mulock.
6. For pathos. "Old Curiosity Shop"
Dickens.
I. For absuriitv, She" Hagqard.
$. For humor, Handy Anly;" Lover.
For human nature, Adam Bede;"
Elliot.
10. For power. Les M~iserables;"
Hugo.
A well known lady, whose Judgment in
literary matters is very valuable, sends
the appended list: "~IvAuhoe," Scott;
Lorna Doone," Blackmore; Henry
Esmond," Thackersy; Vanity Fair"
Thackeray; "Dr. Antonio" Rufiui;
"Romola,' George Eliot; "Mauprat,"
George Sand; Marble Faun," Haw-
thorne; "Prue and l." Geo. W. Curtis;
Les MiseraLlcs," Hugo.
The last list received was from a young
gentleman. 1t is as follows:
TILE of Two Cities" Dick eus, Les
Miserable" Hugo "Iyanhoe," Scott;
The Deerslayer," Cooper: Adm
Bede," Elicit Cousin Pons,' Balzac;
Count of Monte Cri,to," Dumas; The
Newcomes," TGackeray; "Seba>topol,'
Tolst9i, and Wilhelm Meister," Goe-
the.
All lists submitted will be published in
next Sundays issue. Sometime during
the holidays We will strike the averages Of
all the published lists and give the ten
most popular novels as thus secu ed, be,
sides the contributed list which most near
L. ,rrr.v;,.,,n -